UPDATE 1-ConAgra Foods sees Q2 earnings higher than planned

Dec 5 (Reuters) - ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG.N: Cotización) said
second-quarter earnings from continuing operations will be
higher than planned due to strong performance in its trading
and merchandising segment and its food and ingredients unit.

Previously, the maker of Swiss Miss cocoa, Healthy Choice
meals and Hebrew National hot dogs had said it expected
second-quarter earnings from continuing operations to be in
line with the year-ago amounts.

It had reported earnings from continuing operations of 41
cents a share in the year-ago period.

Analysts on average were expecting the company to earn 41
cents a share, excluding exceptional items, according to
Reuters Estimates.

Shares of the company were up about 2 percent at $24.90 in
late electronic trade, after closing at $24.39 on the New York
Stock Exchange.